Fatal air embolism during sigmoidoscopy performed under spinal anesthesia

Air embolism is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic event that occurs when air enters the vasculature. Because of a scared and friable colorectal mucosa, patients with anastomotic stricture are at an increased risk of complications associated with sigmoidoscopy such as bowel perforation and bleeding. This is a report of fatal air embolism confirmed on an immediate postmortem chest radiograph in a patient with a high colorectal anastomotic stricture undergoing sigmoidoscopy under spinal anesthesia is reported. The literature on air embolism in patients undergoing sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy is reviewed.